Narratives that address affective forecasting errors reduce perceived barriers to colorectal cancer screening

Amanda J. Dillard, Angela Fagerlin, Sonya Dal Cin, Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher and Peter A. Ubel

Social Science & Medicine, 2010, vol. 71, issue 1, 45-52

Abstract: Narratives from similar others may be an effective way to increase important health behaviors. In this study, we used a narrative intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening. Researchers have suggested that people may overestimate barriers to colorectal cancer screening. We recruited participants from the US, ages 49-60 who had never previously been screened for colorectal cancer, to read an educational message about screening for the disease. One-half of participants were randomly assigned to also receive a narrative within the message (control participants did not receive a narrative). The narrative intervention was developed according to predictions of affective forecasting theory. Compared to participants who received only the educational message, participants who received the message along with a narrative reported that the barriers to screening would have less of an impact on a future screening experience. The narrative also increased risk perception for colorectal cancer and interest in screening in the next year.

Keywords: Colon; cancer; screening; Barriers; Narratives; Affective; forecasting; Tailoring; Risk; perception; USA; Intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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